could be ahead with the return of six starters on both sides
of the football. Things should improve offensively with Jung
leading the way. The junior made an impressive debut a year
ago, passing for 2,400 yards and 21 touchdowns. The best
thing about the situation is he’ll have one of his top receivers
on hand in Vasquez, who caught 34 passes for 521 yards
and three TDs. Cura should also provide help with his running and catching skills. MacArthur has building to do on
the line, but having strongmen Moore and Barnett is a good
place to begin. Defensive help should be present from LB
duo Fiel and Pastor, along with Stallworth and Tesalona in
the secondary. Williams leads MacArthur’s defensive front.

THE WORD: Carroll’s first year as Roosevelt’s head coach
wasn’t exactly the type of debut he wanted. Through the
tough times, Carroll believes progress was made. Now, that
the Rough Riders have a year under his system and a productive offseason, Carroll expects better days. However, the
Riders will be relying on several newcomers to turn things
around as four offensive and four defensive starters remain.
Some of the optimism begins in the offensive backfield
where Bryson Carroll and Morgan are expected to bring a
much-needed spark. Lewis saw limited action as a WR but
will be more involved. Most of the offense’s experience
comes on the line where unanimous All-District 26-5A
performer Jones, Marquez and Garibay man the unit. Dillard
anchors the defensive front and expectations are high for
newcomer Carson to make an immediate impact. Boykin
appears to be ready for a fulltime role at LB after making an
impression as an understudy. Tupper, McCree and Mendez
are keys to the secondary’s success.

THE WORD: The Volunteers had a successful non-district
campaign, but couldn’t carry the good times into league
play. They hope that chance in 2014. The Volunteers are
loaded with speed at the skilled positions with several players capable of putting points on the board. Salas is back to
lead the offense after throwing for 972 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Newcomer Fuller provides depth. Solis
( 40 catches for 972 yards and 13 touchdowns) and Adams
( 26 catches for 346 yards and six touchdowns) have the talent to make Lee’s passing game successful. Inexperience
is a concern on the line as Espinoza is the lone returner.
Depth should made Lee’s defense stronger with such hands
as Engelbrecht, who had 41 tackles in six games, Rendon
( 49 tackles), Lugo, Barron and Barow returning. Lamb and
Rosado look to make instant contributions.

THE WORD: Brennan made major strides during its four
seasons in Class 4A, especially last year when the Bears
reached the Division I finals before losing to Denton Guyer,
31-14. Now, the Bears are jumping to a higher classification
with their Northside ISD neighbors. Though it will be a different atmosphere, Brennan has enough talent to make an
immediate impression. Offensively, the Bears, who totaled
830 points a year ago, have plenty of weapons. Key is back
for his fourth season at QB. Since the beginning, Key has
shown a knack for making things happen whenever he
touches, which was the case a year ago when passed for
1,809 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 2,002
yards and 35 TDs. What makes Key click is a well-rounded
supporting cast that includes RB Green (700 yards and 10
touchdowns), Hill and Irby. All four are also come in handy
catching the football. In addition, Moss ( 32 receptions for

500 yards and four touchdowns) and Thomas give Key two
reliable targets. Also present is a stout O line led by Watanabe and Brown. Additional strength comes from Cole, Degree and Barbosa. Brennan’s defense should complement
the offense with its cast of experienced players. Allen ( 117

tackles, three sacks, two touchdowns) is a major force at
LB, along with Rodriguez. The front is just as punishing with
the presence of Irby ( 46 tackles, four sacks), Jackson ( 79
stops), Moore ( 60 tackles, five sacks) and Carrete. Providing plenty of backup is a swift secondary paced by Martinez
( 56 tackles, three interceptions), Collier ( 51 tackles, three
interceptions) and McGarity ( 34 tackles, one pick). Despite
the jump up this is a team that knows how to win having
posted a 28-2 mark the last two years, the Bears will be a
factor come playoff time.

THE WORD: After an absence from the post-season in 2012
the Warriors returned last year with a second-place finish
in 27-5A and a bi-district playoff win. They’re looking for another playoff trip this season but with four offensive starters
and two defensive regulars returning, they’ll need to grow
up quickly. That is always a challenge in this league, but the
Warriors usually find ways to be in the running. Although the
Warriors have plenty of vacancies to fill on offense, they
have their bright spots. The brightest area appears to be the
running game where 1,000-yard rusher Robinson, who also
scored 19 touchdowns, and Jacobs are expected to carry
much of the load. Garcia ( 17 receptions for 290 yards and
four touchdowns) is capable of doing damage to defenses
with his pass-catching kills. The question is who will be
the one sending the passes in his and the other receivers’
direction. Casias is a potential candidate after throwing for
390 yards and two touchdowns while working as 2,000-yard
passer Jordan Sneed’s understudy. Turner is being counted
on the lead a young offensive line and could also be the
strength of the defensive front. Dausin also looks for Salazar
and Payne to provide a big portion of the defensive spark.

THE WORD: Hemphill was one of four new coaches in the
Northside ISD last year and saw considerable improvement
as the Falcons improved from a 1-9 struggle the previous
season. Now, the Falcons are looking to take it a step farther. Hemphill should feel happy about the passing game’s
potential with Chacon taking the snaps after passing for
1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns, while running for 292
yards and four TDs. He is surrounded by another quality
playmaker in Allen, who can shine as a running back and
wide receiver. A year ago, he rushed for 431 yards and six
touchdowns and hauled in 25 passes for 391 yards and five
TDs. The Falcons will need more depth in the running back
and wide receiver areas, but Hemphill should be confident
about quality newcomers like the Kilby duo making impressive debuts. Anguiano, Greene and Ojeda are expected to
lead the blocking. The Falcons have a solid look on the defensive front with Dranowsky teaming with Garcia, Gonzalez
and Earls. Arguello, Britton and Solis have the aggressiveness to bring security at LB, while the secondary relies on
support from Sullivan and Lee.

THE WORD: Gutierrez’s first year as Jay’s coach was a challenge, the former Levelland HC returned to his hometown to
lead the program at Jay late last off-season. Not only was he
installing a new system, the Mustangs’ lineup consisted of
large number of newcomers. This season looks to be more
promising, a full off-season to adjust and more experience
should payoff. They became more comfortable with Gutierrez’s philosophy and the young players are now experienced
with plans to take their game to a higher level. Reynolds
made a big debut, rushing for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,416 yards and 11 TDs. He’ll
be looking to produce more of the same results and best
thing about his situation is having Sheridan ( 33 catches for
343 yards and two touchdowns) and ( 12 receptions for 168
yards) and Huerta as top targets. The running game also has
an added spark with the experience of Ortega, who picked
up 657 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Defensively,
Jay has solid contributors as well. Mandujano mans the front
and Coleman ( 68 tackles) will be providing backup support
at LB. Most of the experience is present in the secondary
where Fontenot, McClain and Turner sport speed and a nose
for the football.

THE WORD: The Raiders have gone through some tough times
in recent years, but perhaps there is a light at the end of the
tunnel in 2014. The offense has some rebuilding to do with
four starters returning, but the Raiders still have enough
pop to give opponent trouble. The running game features
1,000-yard rusher Mallard. Wise showed his dependability
at WR a year ago with 19 catches for 209 yards. Taft will
have someone new taking the snaps. One of the candidates
is Dehoyos, who saw action throughout last season. The
Raiders also have new faces on the line, but they’ll have an
experienced strongman in Dixon to lead the younger players.
Defense is where the experience exists with nine returning
starters, including Payne, Ukaegbu Goins and Holguin, who
all made impressions a year ago.

THE WORD: The Panthers are looking to be in the title hunt
once again as six offensive and nine defense starters return, along with a promising crop of new players. O’Connor’s
offense has plenty of balance to put points on the board.
Edwards, who rushed for 690 yards and nine touchdowns,
is the leader of the running game. Losing versatile QB Zach
Galindo to graduation leaves a void, but O’Connor’s passing
game should still click with McEntire throwing to Holmes ( 27
catches for 287 yards and one touchdown) and Lunsford.
As far as blocking goes, Malesky is counting on Lunsford
and Pedraza to lead the front work as a few inexperienced
players will be learning the ropes. O’Connor also looks for
a quality kicking game with Zuniga handling the footwork.
The Panthers have a fierce look on defense. Leyva anchors
a sturdy line and intensity is high at LB where Velasquez ( 73
tackles), Fields and Biggles man the positions and Godfrey
leads the secondary. A year after advancing all the way to
the state semi-finals, 2013 was considered a disappointment but with a strong cast returning O’Connor could again
be in the mix to win Region IV.

THE WORD: Brandeis has claimed or shared the district title
every year since 2010. The Broncos plan to keep that streak
alive but it will be a big challenge. Not only has the league
become stronger with Brennan joining the group, but re-building is in store for the Broncos, who return five offensive
and four defensive starters. Campbell and his staff usually
find ways to get things in working order and this year should
be no different. For one thing, the experienced players made
major contributions last season. In addition, the newcomers or those who saw limited playing time have the talent to
shine. Although the Broncos have been known for its running
tactics, the passing attack provided an added dimension a
year ago. Campbell looks for more of the same this season.
Lozano played a backup role last season and has the opportunity to show what we can do on a full-time basis. Hall ( 21
receptions for 592 yards and eight touchdowns), Dennard
and Beilman give Lozano plenty of options when throwing
the football. Once again, Brandeis’ running game looks
steady with the combination of Dukes (888 yards and eight
touchdowns), Woods and Turney. However, the Broncos will
need the front work to come together quickly as Cisneros
earned second team All-District 27-5A honors a year ago, is
the lone returning starter. Experience is present in the kicking game with the return of Botello, who kicked three field
goals and 49 PATs a year ago. Despite a few question marks,
Brandeis’ defense still sports a hard-nosed presence. Flores
( 88 tackles) and Smyth are back at LB and Galvan is a force
on the front. The secondary has new faces, but one standout
could be Mellish, who makes the move from WR following an
impressive freshman debut